• Job offers are tricky — you never want to get your hopes up too much.

• At the same time, there are a number of subtle signs that good news will be coming your way soon.

• From an extended interview to early salary negotiations, here's what to watch out for.

Job offers can be an ideal stepping stone to better opportunities and a brighter future.

They're also a nice ego boost. But they're pretty stressful to wait on.

Maybe you're relatively sure you aced the interview and felt like you were walking on air as you left the lobby. But now, hours seem like days and days like weeks as you wait patiently for a formal offer.

"While you can never be certain, and you definitely don't want to get your hopes up prematurely, there are certainly signs that might hint that you're about to get some good news," he told Business Insider.

You're asked to come in for an additional round of interviews

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You may be one of a handful of finalists.

"But if you've been asked to return for a second round of interviews, that's an encouraging sign that you're a serious contender," Taylor said. "They want to clinch the decision by building consensus among managers."

Your interview is extended

Did the conversation go way over the amount of time they scheduled? Did the interviewer invite you to continue the discussion over lunch or coffee?

If so, you may have it in the bag.

"Most interviewers make up their mind, whether they admit it or not, within the first few minutes and so those candidates that they know they will pass on will definitely get a quicker interview," Kerr explained.

You find out the company has checked references

"Assuming the employer was able to get more than the basics about you from a prior boss or other reference, you might be fortunate enough to hear back from your reference," said Taylor. "In that case, you're very, very close."

Your interviewer asks how you can best be reached

If the hiring manager asked you this, it could mean that they will call you. It also could be a formality, so don't read too much into it, Taylor said.

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You're an intern who's taken on a number of additional responsibilities

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TopResume career expert Amanda Augustine told Business Insider that it's important for interns looking for a full-time offer to demonstrate that they're capable of more than busy work.

If you've already done this, it's a good omen.

"If your role has evolved and you're taking on greater responsibility, it's a sign you've proven your value to your boss and can be trusted to handle bigger projects," Augustine said. "While this doesn't guarantee a full-time job offer upon graduation, it's certainly a step in the right direction."